International Business at Aquinas College

In Michigan, International Business programs show striking variation—from Eastern Michigan's $31,476 to nearly double that at Wayne State and Grand Valley. Aquinas appears to align with the higher-performing state programs based on estimates derived from three Michigan schools, with projected first-year earnings of $58,746 topping the national median of $49,890 by nearly $9,000. That's a meaningful difference for a field where graduates often start in competitive urban markets.

The estimated $25,000 debt load sits close to both state and national norms for this degree, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43—manageable territory where graduates could reasonably pay down loans within a few years. Similar programs nationally carry $23,472 in median debt, so Aquinas isn't asking students to shoulder unusual financial risk for this credential. The real question is whether these estimates hold for Aquinas specifically, given its mid-tier selectivity and smaller graduate cohorts.

For parents weighing this option, the projection looks reasonable if Aquinas delivers outcomes comparable to Michigan's stronger International Business programs. But with no actual graduate data available, you're banking on the school's career network and Grand Rapids business connections matching what larger state universities provide. Request job placement specifics and alumni employment data directly from Aquinas—the estimates suggest competitive potential, but you need school-specific evidence before committing.